The Simple Life is a minimalist lifestyle paper. It is inspired by the plain people. Addresses topics relating to life, craft, cooking, and learning. Feel free to ask questions or contribute material. Email bekasbakeryATgmail.com if you would like to contact the Little Columnist for an article.

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Panasonic Mini-Bake

Forget about buying a customized oven for kid’s play.

Our well-worn “National” toaster oven recently went kaput.
We had seen it coming, really. It was covered in grease, grime, pizza cheese,
and chometz (leavened bread-crumbs). It was impossible to clean, and smoked
every time we turned it on.

Now the old toaster oven was easy to heat up. It had two
heating lightbulbs installed, and a timer. It had a small tray and a rack.

So we went to get, possibly the same toaster, but came back
with something so entirely cool and exciting and full of promise – a Panasonic
Toaster Oven.

Well, the Panasonic Toaster Oven comes not only with a
timer, but it also has temperature control. And it’s about the same
size, so our old baking tray fits in real well. And… dum de da… it has protected
lightbulbs. Yeah. The lightbulbs are sealed in special aluminum cages.

Countless times, we tried to clean the old toaster oven and
had to gingerly avoid the lightbulb. Countless times, the lighbulb would smoke
and turn black because it got pizza all over it. Now, the evil is over…

Plus, now the whole bottom of the oven, though not
removable, is easy to clean, because it springs away and can be lighted with
aluminum foil. Easy to replace!

And, like the old National, the Panasonic’slightbulbs turn off automatically when the
right temperature is achieved, saving electricity.

And now the final perk – this toaster oven can bake in small
batches, from low to high heat. What does it mean? It’s multi-purpose. You
don’t have a buy a special kid’s toy oven. This toaster oven makes the crispiest,
softest rolls of bread. And I’m sure, with some temperature manipulation, it
could do cupcakes, popovers, soufflés, etc. Kids (Me) can learn to bake with
this! They (Me) can play, experiment, and all for a lot less electricity than
is needed to heat up the giant, multi-liter Electrolux. Me like!

Forget about those little spring toasters that can only toast slices of bread. Get a toaster oven - especially if you're short of space. You can do TONs of things in there - grilled fish, baked potatoes, pizza, cookies, roast chicken, etc. and all in mini-amounts.

What does this mean? It takes as quick to bake bread as it
is to toast bread. And using just as much electricity. Fresh, naturally
leavened, baguette – so terribly crispy. Yum.